Transcripts For CSPAN U.S. House Of Representatives 20180116

Selfsufficiency, and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from wisconsin, mr. Duffy, and the gentleman from connecticut, mr. Himes, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from wisconsin. Mr. Duffy mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on this bill. The speaker pro tempore without objection, so ordered. Mr. Duffy mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. Mr. Duffy thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of h. R. 4258, the family selfsufficiency act. This legislation will streamline a Program Designed to help those unable to purchase a home while reducing their dependency on welfare assistance and rental assistance provided by the government. I want to thank my colleague from missouri, my friend from missouri, mr. Cleaver, for all of his bipartisan and helpful work on this legislation. It passed out of our committee 580, which is somewhat historic for the Financial Services committee. This program is focused on helping families in Public Housing and the Housing Choice Voucher Program. The goal is to utilize a number of services coordinated through the program to help families with individual training to increase their employability and become less dependent on assistance. These services can include basic education, child care, transportation, education. Financial literacy, Mental Health referrals. And Home Ownership counseling. While receiving these services, an interestbearing escrow account is established for the family that can be used for any purpose once the family has graduated from the program. Now, currently h. U. D. Operates one program for families served by the Housing Choice Voucher Program and a separate program for those families searched serbed served by the Public Housing program. This legislation will combine those two separate programs into one to streamline and reduce regulatory burdens. The bill will also broaden the scope of support of services that may be offered to families that could include attainment of a g. E. D. , education in pursuit of a postsecondary degree or certification, and, i think this is important, but training in Financial Literacy. Lastly, h. R. 4258 opens the f. S. S. Program to families that live in privately owned profits properties that are subsidized by probablybased rental assistance. Now, 4,793 families have successfully completed the program. With 1,557 graduates exiting rental assistance within another 606 graduates that eventually went on and were able to purchase a home. So more than 10 of the people who graduate from the program go on to buy a home. I want to leave you with just a quick antidote, written testimony that came to our committee from the compass working capital group. And its a story about tanya. And she graduated from the f. S. S. Program in massachusetts. Now, when she enrolled in the f. S. S. Program she had been receiving Housing Assistance for about four years. She was working full time and raising two children. But she had bigger dreams. And one of those dreams was to one day own a house. At the time tanya believed that owning a home was in her words, quote, not for families like mine. A lowincome, single mother who came from a family where no one has ever owned a home. So when tanya graduated from the program, she got the assistance, got the counseling, and in the end she was able to increase her annual income by 8,000, she was able to improve her credit score by 140 points, pay down her debt and save 3,000. She graduated from the program in 2015 and achieved her dream of becoming a homeowner the first homeowner, the first person in her family to do. So she said, but what makes me happiest of all is seeing my children love their new home. And she said, thanks to the compass f. S. S. Program, now i too believe that families like mine can get ahead, live better, and accomplish our big dreams and goals such as buying a home. This is a remarkable story of a program that actually works. That helps people get from public assistance into selfsufficiency and hopefully into Home Ownership and i think its this kind of artful review of policy that our committee has done in a bipartisan level that brings us to reforms that can look at the successes of a program, but build upon those sex and make them work those successes and make them work for more families. I want to thank my colleagues and friends across the aisle for working on this legislation and again bringing it out with such a bipartisan vote. With that, i would reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from wisconsin reserves. The gentleman from connecticut is recognized. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. Mr. Speaker, hrment r. 4 h. R. 4258, makes several improvements to the h. U. D. Family selfsufficiency program or f. S. S. , which is the only Asset Building Program at h. U. D. To help increase Economic Opportunities for its lowincome households. When i was a commissioner of the Housing Authority many years ago, i saw this program in action and it deals with one of the challenges of what happens to a family as their incomes go up and they find it increasingly hard to invest and save because their rents typically go up. Mr. Himes mr. Speaker, this bill expands the scope of support of Services Provided to residents to include g. E. D. Train, education in pursuit of a postsecondary degree, or certification and training in financially the are a sifment the bill also expands the literacy. The bill also expands programs to ensure low income families can continue to participate in this program as their incomes increase. This is particularly important a particularly important improvement since under current law, once a family reaches 50 of area median income, they no longer are able to accrue Additional Savings in their escrow accounts. This bill fixes that issue. This bill is an important step in the right direction and i hope we can continue to find ways to expand the program, this very successful program, beyond the current 72,000 households it can serve. Im glad to see that my friend from wisconsin and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle recognize the success of this voluntary program and i hope we can Work Together to find ways to improve it and to give energy to other programs which allow people to lift themselves out of lower income circumstances. Mr. Speaker, this bill was passed out of committee 580 and so i urge my colleagues to support the bill and let me now yield five minutes to my friend and colleague, mr. Cleesker of missouri. The speaker pro tempore cleaver of missouri. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields five minutes and the gentleman from missouri has five minutes. Cleesk cleave thank you, mr. Speaker. Let mr. Cleaver thank you, mr. Speaker. Let me first of all state the obvious. Im rising to support h. R. 4258. The family selfsufficiency act. Then i would like to thank chairman duffy for the spirit f bipartisanship that he has demonstrated on this. And on other legislation as well. And mr. Himes, the gentleman from connecticut, who is managing this piece of legislation. It is also appropriate to thank the chair and the Ranking Member of the committee for giving their support to this piece of legislation. H. R. 4258 would make important updates to the department of housing and urban Development Family selfsufficiency program, the f. S. S. Program, which is a voluntary program that encourages residents who use housing vouchers or live in Public Housing to connect with Program Coordinators to create selfsufficiency plans, obtain Educational Resources and pursue work opportunities. This program also creates an interestbearing escrow account for participants that can be accessed upon graduation from the program. Money from this account can be used for jobrelated expenses or as savings for a home. If i can deeskate from my written comments deviate from my written comments to say that there are a number of Great Stories like the ones of tanya that mr. Duffy shared. As a fiveyear resident of Public Housing when i was growing up, during the time that my father was working on three jobs, trying to save money for a house, and to buy what became his first car, our first car, an oldsmobile rocket 88, rocket 88, i want to emphasize, and it was the pride of our family and our community, frankly, when that happened. But it would have been infinitely easier if there had been some kind of escrow account that my father could have moved money into to save so that when he found that lot and the house that he lives in today, that would have been money delite available for right there available for him to pay down on it or pay it off. Didnt seem like a lot it seems like a lot of money then, but the lot was 5,000 and the money that he could have saved over that period of time could have been so significant. We managed to do it anyway. But this program would help countless numbers of people who want to take advantage of the help that the federal government can give them with housing, but at the same time work and work and strive toward independence. And that is what i think the great value of this program is. I dont want to repeat what has already been said so i want to just give you a list of the organizations supporting this legislation. The center on budget and policy priorities, preservation of Affordable Housing, the national least housing association, conference working capital, National Association of housing redevelopment officials, Housing Partnership network, the National Housing trust and stewards of Affordable Housing for the future. A similar version of this bill was introduced by senators reid and senator blunt from my home state of missouri over in the senate. And i am encouraged by this bipartisanship and the bicameral process. Im also hopeful that we can continue to work as mr. Himes said on further improvements of Housing Resources all across the country. And i urge my colleagues to support this bill. I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. Himes mr. Speaker, i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from connecticut reserves. The gentleman from wisconsin. Mr. Duffy i have no further speakers and am prepared to close. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from connecticut. Mr. Himes mr. Speaker, i have no further requests for time. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from wisconsin. Mr. Duffy i want to briefly oftentimes ng, we find people who get stuck in a cycle of poverty. And i think the goal of programs should be to help people get out of poverty and get to selfsufficiency. And if you look at this program, and it takes an initiative by the person in f. S. S. A to say, im going raise my hand, i want to take advantage of these opportunities, but helping them get an education. I have eight kids and i have a wife. A single mom with a couple kids and trying to go to school or do job training or get a job without some help on child care cant work, cant make that happen. And thats offered in this program. Again, additional education, Financial Literacy training, counseling on Home Ownership. If you have Mental Health issues, you can get training on that. Its whats right about government in the sense that we dont want people to get stuck. We dont want people to get caught in a cycle of poverty. We want to help lift them up and its this kind of a program where these kinds of reforms that i think we have worked together on that accomplishes that goal, help people live the american dream. Which is get a job that allows them to eventually save enough money and buy a house and the escrow part of this, when you get out of the program, you might have a small little nest egg that you can use as a deposit for that home. So i think this is a Great Program that does the right thing. So if youre a liberal or a conservative, no matter what side of the political spectrum you sit on, this program is making government work for people. So when that i would en so with that i would encourage my colleagues to support this legislation and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The question is will the house suspend the rules and pass the ill h. R. 4258, as amended. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 having responded in the affirmative mr. Duffy mr. Speaker, i request the yeas and nays. The speaker pro tempore the yeas and nays are requested. All those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. A sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays are ordered. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on uestion will be postponed. For what purpose does the gentleman from wisconsin seek recognition . Mr. Duffy mr. Speaker, i move to suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 770, as amended. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 770, a bill to require the secretary of the treasury to mint coins in recognition of American Innovation and significant innovation and pioneering efforts of individuals or groups from each of the 50 states, the district of and the United States territories, to promote the importance of innovation in the United States, the district of columbia, and the United States territories, and for other. Rposes the speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from wisconsin, mr. Duffy, and the gentleman from connecticut, mr. Himes, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from wisconsin. Mr. Duffy mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on this bill. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Duffy mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. Mr. Duffy mr. Speaker, i rise today in support of h. R. 770, the American Innovation 1 coin act, which was introduced by my friend from connecticut, mr. Himes. The legislation seeks to honor that which is best about america, her innovative spirit. If enacted the legislation would authorize a program under which the treasury departments United States mint would produce a series of 1 coins celebrating the innovative capacity of the United States and by the way, its that innovative capacity that makes us so great and competitive that allows our salaries and incomes to rise. Under the program, the front of the coin would have the standardized image symbolic of liberty and the design on the reverse would be an images emblematic of a significant innovation or innovator or pioneer or group of innovators or pioneers. Four different reverse images would be issued annually representing innovations or innovators representing the states, territories. It would be strictly alphabetical. The first issue would be for the great state of alabama. The number of coins for each design would be determined by the treasury secretary while the coins technical would be usable as in order commerce, there is no demand for circulating the demand for 1 coin. It would be produced with no cost to the taxpayer. Mr. Himes made sure of that. Depending on the collector demand, it actually price produce a surplus that would then be returned to the general fund at treasury. The legislation explicitly states that minting of the innovation coin would in no way interfere with the minting of the 1 coins honoring native americans. Those coins similarly have a standardized front design and reverse design that changes regularly honoring the great contributions that have been made to this country by native americans. And so mr. Speaker, the president ial dollar, when produced for collectors, had a demand of a little more than five million coins per design, that seems to indicate enough interest that would and should approve this program as it can proceed at no cost to the taxpayer while allowing the mint to fully use its facilities. The language we are considering contains some minor technical amendmentes that will allow the coin production to begin more swiftly which i think makes more sense. I think this is a good bill where mr. Himes has kind of thought through any red flags that could be risen by any member on the floor. Hes addressed those. I support this bill and would encourage my colleagues to do the same. I would then reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from connecticut is recognized. Mr. Himes thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. And thank my friend from wisconsin for his support of this bill and the kind words he made about it. This bill addresses the coin sales resulting from the discontinuation of the president ial 1 coin series. When enacted, this bill will First Commission the u. S. Mint to create a yearlong introductory coin series bearing the semblance of George Washingtons signature on the first patent. The bill will then direct the mint to release four 1 coins each year, as my friend from wisconsin said, featuring a Great American innovator from each state over the next 14 years. Coins will be issued in alphabetical order starting with alabama. State innovations will be chosen with input from state governors, territory executives and the commission of fine arts and the citizens coinage advisory committee. Mr. Speaker, im particularly excited about this concept of commemorating and honoring innovation, as mr. Duffy has said, this is one of the core strengths of our country. We have fights across the aisle, as we should, over our economy and where this government intervenes. I think we agree that one of the key strengths of the United States is our our capacity and the remarkable innovations that come out of all 50 states and the territories of the United States. It is right that in some small way we honor those innovations and those innovators who so help our economy grow, give us competitive advantage and make us all proud to be part of the United States of america. Mr. Speaker, these coins will be sold as a product for collectors, minted demand with oversight from the treasury. Per u. S. Mint reports to the point made by my friend from wisconsin, the dollar coin costs less than 35 cents to make. As a product for collectors, the dollar coin sells more from face value, up to 1. 32 each. Thats nearly a 1 profit on every coin, and proceeds from this coin will return money to the treasury. In addition, the infrastructure producing these coins is already in place. This program will sunset once all states and territories have been honored and cannot be resumed except by an act of congress. This legislation has the support of members of the coin industry and their local suppliers and Service Providers across the United States, including a number of business Small Businesses in my district and these businesses represent scores of Small Businesses and thousands of jobs around the country. I believe this bill will engage the public, fill the void of a terminated coin series, create and sustain coinrelated jobs in both public and private sectors all while honoring and commemorating the remarkable innovative capacity of our country. I urge my colleagues to support h. R. 770 and i would like to thank chairman hensarling, Ranking Member waters, chairman barr and Ranking Member moore as well as my friend from wisconsin for their support and determination to get this important bill scheduled and passed. With that, mr. Speaker, ill reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from connecticut reserves. The gentleman from wisconsin. Mr. Duffy mr. Speaker, i only have a couple brief comments. Again, i think its an Important Note to use the capacity at the mint that cost no additional money to the mint. But as mr. Himes pointed out, were celebrating innovation. And as a country we continue to innovate and create in a way that no one else does in the world and its that innovation and creation that creates more and better jobs for our societies, our communities and for our families. So to celebrate that by way of a coin that costs the taxpayer no money but celebrates this Great American trade i think is a wonderful idea and so with that i, again, urge all members to support this bill and i would yeble. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from wisconsin yields. The gentleman from connecticut. Mr. Himes i thank the gentleman from wisconsin, again. I have no further requests for time and yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 770 as amended. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. The clerk h. R. 4279, a bill to direct the securities and Exchange Commission to revise any rules necessary to enable closedend companies to use the Securities Offering and proxy rules that are available to other issuers of securities. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from wisconsin, mr. Duffy, and the gentleman from connecticut, mr. Himes, will each control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from wisconsin. Mr. Duffy mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on this bill. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Duffy mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. Mr. Duffy mr. Speaker, closedend funds are important Retirement Savings for Retail Investors and serve as a longterm source of capital for operating companies which helps promote job creation, research and development and economic growth. Despite the many benefits of closedend funds, the numbers have been declining over the last several years. Now, closedend funds occupies a unique space within a framework of regulated companies. They invest in small enter prices and stocks and bonds that would not necessarily be ones that would be openended or invested by mutual funds. Since the s. E. C. Has adopted its 2005 offering reforms for traditional operating companies, the s. E. C. Has had more than 12 years to consider a parallel framework for closedend funds but has failed to do so. H. R. 4278 would direct the s. E. C. To draft rules as appropriate to permit closedend funds to take advantage of the 2005 offering reforms. If the s. E. C. Does not finalize these rules within one year, closedend funds that otherwise meet the requirements could take advantage of the 2005 offering reforms until the s. E. C. Adopts a rule. By simplifying the closedend Fund Offering process and liberalizing restrictions on communication, the legislation would reduce unnecessary regulate burdens that raise costs for investors. In turn, this would enhance the ability of closedend funds to act as a source of financing for the economy. I think this is a commonsense piece of legislation. I would also note in a committee that often doesnt see a lot of bipartisanship, this bill passed out of committee with a vote of 582, significant anyfying a broad and wide support signifying a broad and wide support amongst the committee. With that i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. Without objection, the gentleman from illinois mr. Control the time. Will control the time. Thank you, mr. Chair. I rise today in support of h. R. 4279. This was a thoroughly negotiated bill. Incorporated the views of affected funds and consumer and investor advocacy groups. My staff worked with congressman hollingsworths staff up to the 11th hour in committee, demonstrating the importance of bipartisan relationships and creating legislation. They worked with us throughout this process and i offered an amendment that we all agreed. To my amendment simply changed the approach the bill used to accomplish parity for closeend Investment Funds with operating companies under the s. E. C. Securities offering reforms of 2005. Mr. Foster moving this bill in regular order, we heard in the legislative hearing that there were reasons why parity might not mean identical treatment. And so this amendment would direct the s. E. C. To propose within 180 days a rule that would allow closed in funds that are listed or have periodic redemptions, interval funds, to be well treated as wellknowned seasoned issuers. This rule will have to be finalized within a year or else the bill will provide a statutory ability for these companies to qualify if they meet the other criteria currently applicable to operating companies. The s. E. C. Can act at any time thereafter to propose rules that would be controlling for closedend funds covered by the bill. I encourage the s. E. C. To consider the disclosure regime under the Investment Company act of 1940, to promulgate a rule that will allow listed closed in funds and interval funds to use the streamlined offering and proxy rules that are available to wiksis this bill will increase options for investors and savers while ensuring the protections appropriate to a are applied to interval funds. I encourage the all of my colleagues to support this bill as it comes to a decision on the floor. And reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from illinois reserves. The gentleman from wisconsin. Mr. Duffy mr. Speaker, i am now pleased to yield five minutes to the gentleman from indiana, the sponsor of this legislation, mr. Hollingsworth, for five minutes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from indiana is recognized for five minutes. Hol hol mr. Speaker, mr. Hollingsworth mr. Speaker, i rise today in support of h. R. 4279. There are two big problems that i hear a lot about in district. The first is ensuring that mom and pop viventers in retail, main street america have all of the options available to them to be able to invest for their future retirement. Invest for their kid college education. They want a cornucopia of different Investment Opportunities for them to be able to pursue. Making the decisions whether mutual funds are the right answer, making decisions where e. T. F. s are the right answer and where closed end funds are the right eafpblet over the last 10 years weve seen closed in funds decline in number by 81 and some of that decline has been because of the regulatory burden, the onerous burden that is on them compared to some of their counterparts. We want to make sure that ultimately there might be reasons for a level Playing Field between them and some other well known seasoned issuers. The second big problem that i continue to hear about is how dynamic the market is. How fleeting opportunities are and how we need to make sure that theres not long, duplicative timelines, not onerous duplicative paperwork that companies and closed in funds are having to fill out, having to wait in order to take advantage of the opportunities that may exist in the market. We want to truncate down that time without removing any of the regulatory and governance that is so important to ensuring the transparency and credibility of u. S. Markets around the world. And i want to thank mr. Foster because, as he well said, from day one, he has been diligently working on both of those problems. We have been able to Work Together and, as he said, negotiate all the way through the 11th hour. Not to come up with a shotgun solution that doesnt address both of these, but instead to come up with a comprehensive solution that solves both of these problems. The problem for the main street mom and pop 401k invest that are wants to be able to pursue different opportunities and saving for their retirement. And for companies that are pursuing dynamic opportunities in the market. And i want them to be as competitive as possible in this global marketplace. And so i want to thank mr. Foster for all of his effort along the way. I want to thank the committee for their 582 support of this legislation. And im hopeful and urge my colleagues on the floor to vote for this legislation as well. I think this is a commonsense, thoughtful approach to both of those problems that i hear far too often when im back home in district. With that ill reserve. Mr. Duffy i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from illinois. Mr. Foster at this point we have no more speakers so i will just like to i guess close with a few words here. The bipartisan this bipartisan bill will increase options for viventers and savers while ensuring that the protections appropriate are applied to closed end and interval funds. Its my hope that we can do more bipartisan work like this in our committee for the and in our congress for the remainder of this term. Thank you. And i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentleman from wisconsin. Mr. Duffy this is a unique space where oftentimes we would look to the s. E. C. To actually act. And because they havent acted, im proud to say im part of a group in congress that are willing to act proactively and make sure, again, were protecting investors, protecting savers, but also helping capital flow into spaces that are so needed by this reform and, again, i would encourage all of my colleagues to support this commonsense, bipartisan bill. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill, h. R. 4279 as amended. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and, without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Mr. Duffy mr. Speaker. Id request the yeas and nays. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman requests the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays are requested. All those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. A sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays are ordered. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this uestion will be postponed. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman from michigan seek reck negs . Seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, i move the house suspend the rules and pass h. R. 4318 as amended. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk h. R. 4318, a bill to amend the harmanized tariff schedule of the United States to modify temporarily certain rates of duty. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from michigan, mr. Bishop, and the gentleman from new jersey, mr. Pascrell, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from michigan. Mr. Bishop mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days top revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on h. R. 4318, currently under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Bishop mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Bishop mr. Speaker, im proud to be here today to speak in support of h. R. 4318, the miscellaneous tariff bill act of 2018. This bipartisan bill will provide longawaiting tariff relief to our american manufacturers who require certain inputs that are simply not made in the United States. Forcing them to pay far i haves for these inputs runs up their manufacturing costs and makes them uncompetitive compared to many manufacturers in other countries. It also limits their ability to create more goodpaying jobs here at home. For companies in my home state of michigan, the miscellaneous tariff bill act will provide nearly 27 million in cost savings which can instead be used to employ more americans, create new products, and boost the United States economy. For years american manufacturers have been asking congress for tariff relief to help them reduce costs, create jobs, and compete globally. Today we can take a critical step in delivering that relief. I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this bill and, mr. Speaker, i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentleman from new jersey is recognized. Mr. Pascrell thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield myself as much time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Pascrell mr. Speaker, thank you. The miscellaneous tariff bill has hiser to he canly had has historically had broad bipartisan support in both chambers of congress as a means to bolster u. S. Manufacturing and competitiveness. Right now the miscellaneous tariff bill has been expired for more than five years. Im pleased that today were filing finally able to consider updating this bill. The n. T. B. Is designed to provide relief to domestic firms by reducing or lifting tariffs on imported goods as long as those goods are not produced here in the United States of america. It is estimated that this legislation will provide more than 1 billion in tariff relief to u. S. Businesses. Many of these businesses are needlessly paying more to acquire inputs to Manufacturing Products manufactured products here in the United States. In my home state of new jersey, it will benefit greatly from this program, with firms projected to save more than 100 million. Over the course of a threeyear program. As a result, these new Jersey Companies will receive a competitive boost and will be able to use the resources more productively, whether by raising wages or investing in research and development. Consider i. C. F. Merkin tile located in new jersey america tile located in new jersey, which will retain duty relief on high tenacity rayon yarn, an input material used for Naval Defense systems. Unfortunately this specialty yarn has not been produced domestically in 20 years. But that means removing the tariff here would help, not hurt, u. S. Industry. New jersey has a robust presence of chemical companies. It is our largest industry, employing directly or indirectly over 100,000 jobs. And several those firms will receive tariff relief from numerous imported chemicals that i dare not try to pronounce. All of these folks who like their antipass tarks their italian subs and pizza with some extra heat were pleased to njoy tariff relief on little pep pep sinny. The n. T. Sbmplet also intended to carefully prevent Domestic Companies companies from being harmed. Under the current process, the International Trade commission and the department of commerce analyzed whether products are currently or could be imminently produced in the United States. If such production or potential for production was found, the i. T. C. Recommends excluding that product. The American Manufacturing and competitive act was passed in 2016 with only two votes against it in the house, established the current process that invites u. S. Firms to submit petitions that the i. T. C. , commerce, u. S. Customs and Border Patrol analyze, vet and recommend to congress for inclusion or exclusion. I would like to thank each agency for its hard work and coordination with congress throughout the process. Boosting the competitiveness of American Manufacturing manufacturers and manufacturing workers should be one of our highest priorities in congress. The m. T. B. Is a program that helps do that and i want to make sure its impact is maximized. This bill covers more than 1,600 products. Compared with the previous m. T. B. Bill, which covered only half as many products. Because this is the first time that this new process has been used, im interested in redoing reviewing both the process and pour poshly the results. And working together with those who have constructive suggestions for any improvements that can be made. But i also want to note that this program is not enough. We as a congress and as a nation need to be doing more and looking for opportunities to enhance american competitiveness meaningfully. The Global Economic environment is not just tough, it is becoming more and more challenging and hostile to our companies and our workers. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting a bill that will provide some important leaf to u. S. Firms across the country important relief to u. S. Firms across the country. I want to thank those folks on the other side. Weve worked very closely on this legislation over a number of years. Finally coming to fruition. I yield back. Thank you, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new jersey yields back. The gentleman from michigan. Mr. Speaker, i yield three minutes to the gentleman from pennsylvania. First, we need to ask ourselves, what does this do, the miscellaneous tariff bill . Mr. Kelly it will make sure that manufacturers compete globally. As mr. Pascrell said, for so many years we have put ourselves at the wrong end of the way things should work. We add tariffs, we add taxes on the people who manufacture. This is a commonsense bill. In every measurable way, our country and our people are the beneficiaries of this bill. Through this legislation, congress will be able to reduce or totally suspend the tariffs which are essentially a tax. At the end of the day by giving tariff relief to u. S. Businesses, this will reduce manufacturing costs, therefore, making products more competitive for u. S. Consumers. Its a winwin for americas consumers and for american workers. For Decades Congress has passed this type of legislation to boost the competitiveness of u. S. Manufacturing by lowering the cost of imported goods without necessarily harming u. S. Based companies that produce competing products. Now, let me just take, for example, a company back in pennsylvania. Lasgo products. Mr. Pascrell and i sat in a hearing and we listened to these folks as they talked about what makes them competitive, what takes them off the shelf where they cant compete. And too often it was their own country that was making it difficult. Company. 111yearold they employ 100 people. Mr. Mccasey, chief operating officer, came and talked to us. When you hear what goes on with lasgo and how listen, this is his words and this is where we have to concentrate. Mr. Mccasey says, we are in a business of pennies and can sometimes lose the sell of a fan to an overseas competitor due to a cost differential to 20 cents to 30 cents. What do they make . Fans. 72 of their fans are portable fans. Why in the world would their own government make it harder for them to compete in a Global Economy . It makes absolutely no cents. So we have come together, both sides, in agreement that if theres something we can do, why wouldnt we do it . Why wouldnt we make it easier for our own companies to compete . Why wouldnt we make it eyesier, not just for us to combeet easier, not just for us to compete, why wouldnt we want us to win and win in big ways . This piece of legislation is so common sense. There is nothing in it that both sides dont agree on. Quite frankly and i agree with mr. Pascrell, this is the first step but we got to go even further. When weve seen whats happened in our country since last year, the trump administrations policies and the numbers that we have seen rising and escalating at such a way we didnt expect this to happen this quickly, when we see america winning again, we know that means americans americas workers, every man and woman, everybody in america benefits through this legislation because we make ourselves competitive on the global stage. No reason for america to ever take a backseat to anybody else in the world and we do it through commonsense legislation. Mr. Speaker, mr. Chairman, mr. Pascrell, thanks so much. Its good to be on the same team. Its good to be winning and keep america winning as we go forward. Thank you and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from michigan. Mr. Speaker, i have no further speakers. Am prepared to close. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman has the only time remaining. Mr. Pascrell reserve, mr. Speaker. Were done. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new jersey yield its back his time. Is he asking unanimous consent to reclaim his time . Mr. Pascrell no other speakers. The speaker pro tempore ok. Without objection, the gentleman from michigan. Mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. For far too long american manufacturers have been put at a disadvantage because they are forced to pay tariffs on products they need but are not made in the United States. This has increased their cost, limited their ability to create new jobs and decreased their competitive edge. Mr. Bishop today we have the opportunity to change that by passing the miscellaneous tariffs bill act of twathe. This would deliver the act of 2018. This would deliver the opportunity to create goodpaying jobs, boost the american economy. At the same time because relief is temporary, we continue to create an incentives for manufacturers to decide to make these products here at home. For years american manufacturers have been asking for tariff relief. Today we can do our part to deliver it. I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this bill. Mr. Speaker, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 4318, as amended. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Mr. Bishop mr. Speaker, i ask for the yeas and nays. The speaker pro tempore all those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. A sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays are ordered, pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. For what purpose does the gentleman from montana seek recognition . I move to suspend the rules and pass h. R. 117. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk senate 17, an act to designate a Mountain Peak in the state of montana as Alex Diekmann peak. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from montana, mr. Gianforte, and the gentlewoman from excuse me from hawaii, ms. Hanabusa, will each control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from montana. Mr. Gianforte i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection, so ordered. The gentleman from montana. Mr. Gianforte yes, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. Mr. Gianforte the Alex Diekmann peak designation act of 2017, introduced by senator steve daines of montana, would designate an unnamed peak in the Lee Metcalf Wilderness in as ome state of montana Alex Diekmann. He dedicated his professional life to protecting the scenic resources of more than 50 district resources in montana, wyoming and idaho and conserving more than 100,000 acres. Mr. Diekmann brought together communities, landowners, sportsmen and the general public in his conservation efforts and contributed to the future of natural treasures such as the greater yellowstone ecosystem, Glacier National park and the cabinet yak ecosystem. Mr. Diekmann left a noteworthy impact on National Wonders in and near the Madison Valley and madison ranges of montana. This pristine area is home to majestic scenery, fishing, wildlife, recreational opportunities that will remain conserved and accessible to the public thanks toial exs diligent work. Mr. Diekmann lost his heroic battle with cancer on february 1, 2016 at the age of 52. Hes survived by his wife, lisa, and their two sons, logan and lion. He leaves a legacy of conservation logan and liam. He leaves a legacy of conservation. The unnamed peak in the lee Metcalf Mountain in montana will honor the life and legacy of Alex Diekmann. I thank alex for his work and on behalf of the American People and look forward to paying tribute to him by hiking Alex Diekmann peak this coming summer with my wife and those of my children that can join us. I urge adoption of the measure and resolve to reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentlewoman from hawaii is recognized. Ms. Hanabusa mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Hanabusa thank you, mr. Speaker. S. 117 designates a peak in the beaver Head National forest as the Alex Diekmann peak. Alex diekmann was a renowned conservationist who lived in bozeman, montana, not far from the beaver Head National forest and the peak that will soon bear his name. As a senior project manager for the trust for public land, mr. Diekmann dedicated his professional life to protecting the natural and scenic resources of the northern rockies. His conservation legacy is apparent throughout montana, wyoming, and idaho where he was directly involved in the conservation of more than 100,000 acres of public and private lands. At the age of 52, mr. Diekmann lost a heroic battle with cans are on february 1, 2016. To honor his enduring legacy, this bill renames a peak in the Lee Metcalf Wilderness in montana as the Alex Diekmann peak. This is a good bill and i urge my colleagues to support its adoption. With that, mr. Speaker, i yield back and reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserves. The gentleman from montana. Mr. Gianforte yeah. Mr. Speaker, i have no additional speakers, and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentlelady hawaii. Ms. Hanabusa we have no further speakers, mr. Speaker. Mr. Gianforte i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from hawaii is recognized. Ms. Hanabusa mr. Speaker, id simply like to close by urging our colleagues to vote in support of the Alex Diekmann naming of the Alex Diekmann eak and senate bill 117. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from montana. Mr. Gianforte i thank the gentlewoman from hawaii for her help on this. I would urge also urge my colleagues to vote for the bill and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass senate bill 117. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended mr. Gianforte mr. Speaker, i request the yeas and nays. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from montana. Mr. Gianforte i request the yeas and nays, mr. Speaker. The speaker pro tempore the yeas and nays are requested. All those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. A sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays are ordered. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20, further proceedings on this uestion will be postponed. For what purpose does the gentleman from montana seek recognition . Jeanne mr. Speaker, i move to suspend the rules and pass h. R. 1107, as amended. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of he bill. The clerk h. R. 1107, a bill to promote conservation, improve public Land Management, and provide for sensible development in Pershing County, nevada, and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from montana, mr. Gianforte, and the gentlewoman from hawaii, ms. Hanabusa, will each control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from montana. Mr. Gianforte mr. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Gianforte i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Gianforte h. R. 1107, introduced by congressman markham day of nevada, is a bipartisan bill that consolidates over 300,000 acres of checker board land presented identified as disposable by the bureau of Land Management in Pershing County, nevada. This creates a new wilderness area and releases certain wilderness study areas, all to benefit conservation, recreation and Economic Development in the county. Mr. Speaker, 85 of nevadas land is owned and operated by the federal government. Not only does this deprive the states final say on management decisions in its own back yard but it deprives the state of the tax base utilized by other states to fund roads, school districts, and police departments. Pershing county, nevada, is no different. 75 of the county is federally owned. This bill is the result of over a decade of negotiations between locally elected officials, miners, conservational ises, sportsmen, conservationalists, sportsmen, and their commitment to bipartisanship has resulted in a bill that benefits all parties, guaranteeing that both economic and ecological future of the county are protected. This bill, in addition to being cosponsored by all nevada congressional representatives, is supported by Pershing County, friends of the nevada wilderness, the nevada chapter of the back country hunters and anglers, coalition for nevadas wildlife, and several mining companies, including clover, nevada, cure mining, e. P. Minerals, gold acquisition, corp, and soladis resources. I urge adoption of the measure and reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentlewoman from hawaii is recognized. Ms. Hanabusa mr. Speaker, h. R. 1107 is a bill cosponsored by the entire nevada delegation that will enhance Economic Development opportunities and the conservation of public land in Pershing County. First, i want to mention this bill will designate over 130,000 acres of wilderness. This is a significant conser vacation victory and congralt late everyone on making this a reality. In addition, this bill establishes a process to exchange or sell up to 400,000 acres of federal land throughout Pershing County. I understand that the b. L. M. And other interested parties have raised concerns with the appraisal process set up in the bill. Unfortunately, we are not able to address these concerns at markup, but i hope to continue working with our colleagues . The senate to make necessary changes in the bill. With that, i yield back and i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserves. The gentleman from montana. Mr. Gianforte i yield to mr. Amodei such time as he may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Amodei thank you, mr. Speaker. And thank you to my colleagues from montana and hawaii for their support. Briefly, mr. Speaker, this is what you get when people talk about issues and not cliches. This is a long time in the making. As has been previously indicated, wilderness and extraction areas are all coming together on this. Just in case there is concern about potentially transferring the federal estate, lets remind people of a couple of things that are in this legislation. First of all, nothing is transferred for nothing. It talks about the appraisal process and how if you are going to purchase the federal estate, you are going to pay for it. Secondly, its talking about exchanges along the transpacific legislation on the checker board from 1862, which talks about the secretary of the interior is a full partner with the county commission in identifying those lands that are appropriate for exchange. Why is this important . This is important because if they dont think its a good idea to exchange, then the secretary of the interior can stop that process. So it doesnt force the secretary of interior to Exchange Lands that he or she in the future doesnt want to. But lets remind ourselves of one other thing. Exchanges of checkerboard land is not something that benefits along the interstate 80 corridor or does a cap operation. It also allows resource managers, federal land managers, wildlife people to consolidate checkerboard lands where they need to be consolidated to preserve habitat, preserve special resource areas, whether its for mule deer or the endangered species and other things like that. Its a twoway street. So my congratulations to the folks of Pershing County and the b. L. M. No lands are subject to this that havent been identified in their Resource Management plan. Their planning document has potentially available for either exchange or disposal. Finally, i want to remind you of this, there are 150,000 acres that can be bought out of a potential federal estate of over nine million acres in that county. So its a fraction of 1 . Of the potential of available of exchanges, upper limit of 300,000 potential, the county has to ask for it and the secretary has to agree to an exchange. When you talk about the size of the federal estate in Pershing County which is the home to the burning man festival that follows that sort of stuff, it is not something that is going to change the landscape literally speaking, in terms of the ownership and the diminishment of the federal estate. There is still a major player to the tune of at the end of the day 95 of the federal estate is still intact. On wilderness study areas, we have in this bill, you have 148,000 148,000 acres and released parts of five different wilderness study areas that are 845,000 acres. It allows Pershing County to come into the the new age in terms of what they think is appropriate for their Economic Diversification and vitality, but also gives federal land managers, resource folks, Wildlife Groups and conservation groups the tools to do good things in Pershing County, too. And the last piece and i thank my friend, the most successful public land legislation in the country is probably the Southern Nevada public lands act which turns 20 years this year. When you talk about when they sell money, it goes to education and goes to the county and 85 of every dollar goes for the benefit of those federal lands for those federal land managers in Pershing County. It has been working for 20 years. This is a good step. I encourage your bipartisan nationwide support. Thank you, mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from nevada yields back. Mr. Gianforte i have no additional speakers and i resevere. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from montana reserves. Ms. Hanabusa im going to close by saying we request that all of our colleagues vote to support h. R. 1107, Pershing County Economic Development and conservation act. With that, i yield. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from montana. Mr. Gianforte i would echo the sentiments of the the gentlewoman from hawaii. I urge my colleagues to vote for this bill and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 1107. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, the 2 3 being in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentleman from montana seek recognition . Mr. Gianforte i move to suspend the rules and pass h. R. 1532. The clerk Union Calendar number 383, h. R. 1532, a bill to reaffirm that are certain land has been taken into trust for the poarch band of creek indians and for other others. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from montana and the gentlewoman from hawaii each will be recognized for 20 minutes. Mr. Gianforte i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Gianforte i yield myself such time as i may consume. H. R. 1532, sponsored by the gentleman from alabama, mr. Byrne, would ratify the trust status of lands the secretary of interior currently holds for the benefit of the poarch band of creek indians. They are located in the state of alabama with the exception of one acre in the state of florida. The lands are used for the operation of casinos authorized under the indian gaming regulatory act, a Health Clinic and assisted living facility and other facilities and development serving the needs of the tribe and the local communities. H. R. 1532, applies only to specific tracts of land taken in by prior to 2009, ruling the Supreme Court, a ruling whose significance i will describe in a moment. Lands held in trust by the secretary of interior have a unique political status. The lands are regulated by tribes and federal government pursuant to a variety of statues that protect them from taxation and from most state civil and criminal jurisdiction. In addition, gaming may not be cuggetted by a tribe under the indian gaming regulatory act of 1988 unless the casino is located on trust or reservation land. This is necessary because there is a cloud of uncertainty over the title of the poarch bands existing lands. They obtained formal recognition in 1984 and lands for the benefit of the tribe were taken by the secretary of the interior in trust pursuant to the Indian Relocation act of 1934 or i. R. A. In a 2009 Supreme Court opinion, cartieri, lled the the court held that they may not use the i. R. A. Unless the tribe was under federal jurisdiction when the i. R. A. Was enacted in 1934. While the poarch band was not a party to the case, the effect calls into question the lawfulness of the secretarys acquisition of the tribes lands because they were recognized 50 years after the i. R. A. H. R. 1532 would clear up any question over the validity of the secretarys action to take the tribes existing lands into trust. It will create a needed certainty for the tribe to use it for a variety of uses that might otherwise be prohibited with the lands to fall under state jurisdiction. Because the bill rat files the trust status for lands acquired by the secretary prior to 2009, there is no concern that we are ratifying any action by the secretary that might violate the i. R. A. As defined by the Supreme Court. There is precedent for this legislation. In 2013, congress enacted legislation to ratify the trust status of lands for the gun lake tribe in michigan, a tribe that was recognized in recent years like the poarch band. I urge adoption of this measure and reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. Ms. Hanabusa i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Hanabusa this is the only federally recognized tribe in alabama. The tribe was recognized by the bureau of Indian Affairs in 1984 and acquired trust land in alabama and florida. However, like other tribes recognized post1924, the status of poarch band lands have been under legal attack due to ram fix of the 2009 Supreme Court decision. The tribe currently maintains several facilities for use of its members on its trust lands as well as owning and operating two casinos. R. 1532 would ratify and reaffirm the status of the poarch bands land. I urge my colleagues to support adoption of this legislation and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady reserves. The gentleman from montana. Mr. Gianforte i yield three minutes to mr. Byrne. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from alabama is recognized. Mr. Byrne h. R. 1532, the poarch chiropractic indians act will provide certainty to an indian tribe in my district. They are part of our trusted community. Their Economic Impact speaks for itself from the help of Funding Community projects to Business Enterprises that employ thousands, they make life better for so many people in our area. This legislation is necessary due to the legal uncertainty caused by a Supreme Court decision. This decision has unnecessarily created legal ambiguity whether the land is in trust or not. To be clear, this legislation would not have any change over the way the poarch or their land are currently being treated in alabama. In fact, this legislation simply provides Legal Certainty to help prevent future challenges of the status of the tribes land. Im pleased we attracted bipartisan support for the legislation including that unanimous vote out of the Natural Resources Committee Last year. I extend my gratitude to the committee and the commitment towards indian issues. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this commonsense straightforward legislation to give Legal Certainty to the oarch creek indians. Mr. Gianforte i reserve. The speaker pro tempore gentlewoman from hawaii is recognized. Ms. Hanabusa in closing, i would like to ask all of my colleagues to support h. R. 1532, the poarch band of creek indians land reaffirmation act. I thank you and yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from hawaii yields ack. Mr. Gaetz i thank the gentleman from montana for yielding and i thank mr. Byrne. I rise in sort of the poarch band act and encourage my colleagues to do the same. They have been in northwest florida since 1812 and recognized federally in 1994. They obtained land in florida and alabama, land that was held in trust. They contribute to our region, their unique history forms a vital part of our culture and strengthens our regions economy and create jobs. They give back through museums to scholarships to students and much more. If lands currently in trust lost their trust, they could be shattered. Incomes could plummet and we would have robbed our nation all in the name of a confusing legal decision. This good bill reaffirms the trust status of the land. It is fair, just and important and i encounseling my colleagues to support it and i yooled back. The speaker pro tempore the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 1532. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentleman from montana seek recognition . Mr. Gianforte mr. Speaker, i move to suspend the rules and pass h. R. 2897. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the capitol hill bill. The clerk h. R. 2897, a bill to authorize the mayor of the district of columbia and the director of the National Park service to enter into cooperative management agreements for the operation, maintenance, and management of units of the National Park district of columbia, and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from montana, mr. Gianforte, and the gentlewoman from hawaii, ms. Hanabusa, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from montana. Mr. Gianforte i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Gianforte i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Gianforte h. R. 2897, introduced by congresswoman Eleanor Holmes norton of the district of columbia, authorizes the district of columbia to establish cooperative management agreements with the National Park service to operate, manage, and maintain National Park Service Properties within the city limits. Of 2015, 21. 7 of the districts total surface area, over 8,000 acres in all, was owned and managed by the National Park service. This area includes 23 district units of the National Park system and the National Mall and many of the small urban green spaces spread throughout the city. A significant portion of this land is in disrepair. The district ranks second in the National Park services deferred maintenance with an estimated total deferred maintenance of approximately 1. 2 billion. H. R. 2897 authorizes the district of columbia to enter into cooperative management agreements with the National Park service for the operation and maintenance of units around the city. His bill is a component to a major Restorative Initiative headed by the Mayors Office and sponsored by local nonprofits and conversations are already under way between the district and the National Park service for the improvement and repair of Franklin Park. The city has set aside nearly 14 million for the restoration of the park, and local public and private partnerships will provide yearly maintenance and upkeep. Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill for both the citizens of the district and the citizens of our great country. I urge adoption of the measure and reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from montana reserves. The gentlewoman from hawaii is recognized. Ms. Hanabusa mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore you are recognized. Ms. Hanabusa thank you, mr. Speaker. H. R. 2897 authorizes the district of columbia and the National Park service to enter into cooperative management agreements for the operation, maintenance, and management of the National Park system units in the district of columbia. Cooperative management agreements are effective tools used throughout the National Park system that lead to creative partnerships, that enhance programming and management capacity. As we will hear from delegate holmes norton, district of columbia and the National Park service have worked out an agreement to update Franklin Square that will revitalize an area in an important quadrant of downtown. This bill simply provides the city with authority to execute the agreement. In addition to Franklin Square, h. R. 2897 has the potential to foster cooperation that will enhance many of the small urban parks found throughout our Nations Capital. This is a winwin, and i urge my colleagues to support this bill. With that i yield back, mr. Speaker, and reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserves. The gentleman from montana. Mr. Gianforte mr. Speaker, i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from montana reserves. The gentlewoman from hawaii. Ms. Hanabusa thank you, mr. Speaker. Id like to yield as much time as she may consume to the delegate from the district of columbia, ms. Holmes norton. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from the district of columbia is recognized. Ms. Norton mr. Speaker, i want to thank both of my friends for their work on this bill, and i want to thank Natural Resources Committee Chairman rob bishop who is a cosponsor of this bill for his support and leadership of this legislation as well as Ranking Member Raul Grijalva who has also supported our efforts. I also want to thank oversight and government reform chair trey gowdy and Ranking Member Elijah Cummings for their support and for moving this Bipartisan Legislation through their committee as well. So you see, weve gone through two committees, mr. Speaker. I am particularly pleased and grateful to senator lisa murkowski, chair of the Senate Committee on energy and Natural Resources, which has jurisdiction over the bill who introduced the Senate Companion of this bill. Our bill is noncontroversial, as you have heard, mr. Speaker. It would only clarify that the district of columbia has the authority to enter into cooperative manage scombrment agreements management agreements, called c. M. A. s, to manage National Park Service Properties in the city, and there are many such bropts, we are grateful to say, properties, we are grateful to say, in the district of columbia. They can enter into these agreements with states, and i believe with the district of columbia but the better part of valor was to make sure that was understood. Our bill would simply provide the district with the same opportunity to work collaborative with the n. P. S. As states and cities already do. N. P. S. Is the steward of many of the countrys most beautiful natural wonders, but they are uniquely responsible for most of the small urban parks in the districts neighborhoods. Given n. P. S. s limited budget and resources, we should encourage local jurisdictions to work with n. P. S. To make sure our National Parks are operly cared for and the way this bill incentivizes. The city already has plans to enter into a c. M. A. With the National Park service to assume operational jurisdiction of Franklin Park. This park is located in downtown d. C. Right in the center of town, but it has seen better days. The city plans to work with the Downtown Business Improvement District to transform the park to its former glory by ensuring regular maintenance and providing amenities such as food, gardens and other services. As the citys Downtown Core has grown to include more housing, businesses and workers, the need for green space also has grown. The citys plans for Franklin Park are a model of what can be done when local jurisdictions get creative about protecting nations park he parks. R. Speaker, i hope members are taking this bill as a model for what can be done if they have big parks. Perhaps the park this bill would not be as easily patterned, but there are many small parks that are near local businesses. Local businesses do not thrive when green space is in poor condition. So we do not find it difficult to get the Business Community around this park to partner with the district of columbia to bring it up to what a park should look like in the center of the city. The National Park service has a backlog that has been described by my friend on the other side, so we cannot expect the park service, even if it was the most robust funding appropriation here, to get to many of our parks very soon. At works here can work throughout the United States. My bill is of course a win for my city, but it is also a win for the federal government, and it is a win for the more than 30 million visitors who visit the district of columbia every day because it is our Nations Capital and, of course, it is a win for the surrounding jurisdictions because this park is so centrally low indicated. I thank my good friend from hawaii for yielding to me and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from the district of columbia yields back. The gentlelady from hawaii. Ms. Hanabusa i assume there are no more speakers. Mr. Speaker, im just closing by asking that our colleagues support this great bill. Thank you. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from hawaii yields back, and the gentleman from montana. Mr. Gianforte mr. Speaker, i also urge adoption, and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The question is will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h. R. 2897. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed, and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. Pursuant to clause 12a of rule 1, the chair declares the house in recess until approximately 6 30 this weekend. Cspan citys tour takes you to newport, rhode island. Well explore newports rich literary scene and sights. This weekend, beginning saturday at noon eastern on book tv on cspan 2. And on American History tv on cspan 3. Working with our cable affiliates as we explore america. We invited those who cover the white house and congress